Apparatus for inspecting double knit fabric

ABSTRACT

Apparatus is disclosed for producing open width knitted fabric from fabric produced on a circular knitting machine in the form of a wound up elongated strip of knitted fabric folded lengthwise upon itself throughout, the apparatus including means for progressively unwinding the wound up strip produced on the knitting machine, progressively unfolding the strip into a substantially transversely planar condition, progressively passing the strip longitudinally through an inspection station while in such transversely planar condition and progressively winding the strip longitudinally into a roll in such transversely planar condition.

United States Patent 1191 Estes Apr, 9, 1974 [54] APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING DOUBLE 2,105,715 1/ 1938 Birch 26/70 KNIT FABRlC 3,164,332 1/1965 Walker et a1. 242/66 3,533,144 10/1970 Jaffe et a1. 26/54 X Inventor: y Estes, Burlmgton, 3,561,306 2/1971 Aronoff 26/55 wc x [73] Assignee: Burlington Industries, Inc., FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Greensboro 629,759 8/1927 France 26/70 1,206,331 8/1959 France 26/70 [22] 1972 56,818 3/1911 Switzerland 26/70 [21] App]. No.2 237,753

Primary ExaminerRobert R. Mackey [52] U S C] u 26/70 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Cushman, Darby & 51 Int. Cl D06h 3/04 Cushma 58 Field of Search 26 55 WC, 70, 54; 242 66 l 7 1 [57] ABSTRACT [56] R f en Cit d Apparatus is disclosed for producing open width knit- UNITED STATES PATENTS ted fabric from fabric produced on 21 Circular knitting machine in the form of a wound up elongated strip of 8523 knitted fabric folded lengthwise upon itself through- 1 446 496 2/1923 Brenne r zjm. ::::1..........::: 26/70 the apparatus including means for progressively 2:619:057 11/1952 Ellis, Sr. 26/55 wc ux unwinding the Wound P Strip P d the knit- 3,105,283 10/1963 P iek U 25/55 w ting machine, progressively unfolding the strip into a 851,938 4/1907 Hull 26/70 UX substantial] transverse] lanar condition, r0 res- Y P P 2 1,246,988 11/1917 OBrien 242/66 sively passing the strip longitudinally through an ini,258,644 3/1918 Birch 6! 2i. 242/66 pection tation in uch transversely planar con- 1261-877 4/1918 Wembe'ger 26/55 WC UX dition and progressively winding the strip longitudi gil s; nally into a roll in such transversely planar condition. 1:801:75? 4/1931 Shippling 26/55 wc ux 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures IATENTED APR 9 I974 SHEU 1 (IF 2 APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING DOUBLE KNIT FABRIC Thisinvention relates to the knitting of tubular fabric and more particularly to improvements in the method and apparatus for producing graded rolls of knitted fabric in open width strip form.

The invention is particulary concerned with the type of fabric produced on conventional circular knitting machines, the operation of which produces a double knit tubular fabric having a circumference of the order of 60 to 64 inches. A tubular knit fabric of this size has very limited use in fabricating garments or other articles in its tubular form. Almost the entire production of fabric of this size is used in fabricating garments and other articles in an open width form. The use of open width double knit fabric in garments has become quite prevalent in recent years and'the popularity'and demand for goods of this type is still increasing. The practices heretofore carried out in producing open width double knit fabric involve the initial production of the double knit fabric in tubular form on circular knitting machines. In the normal operation of such machines, the tubular double knit fabric is progressively formed by knitting yarns to one end thereof, while the tubular fabric is rotated about its axis. The tubular fabric which is progressively formed is conventionally passed longitudinally over a spreader structure which flattens the tube. From the spreader structure, the flattened tube is fed between cooperating take-up rolls and the flattened fabric is finally wound up into a roll, The spreader structure, take-up rolls and roll spindle are all mounted on the machine to rotate about the axis of the tube bein knitted during the operation of the machine.

In the production of open width double knit fabrics, the practices subsequent to the formation of the flattened tubular rolls on the knitting machines hhave varied depending upon the type of processing equipment employed. In general, the processing equipment is opv erable either to process double knit material while in a tubular form or while in an open width form. Where the processing equipment handles the double knit fabric while in a tubular form, a slitting operation must be performed subsequent to' the processing operation and hence the present invention has no applicability. On the other hand, where the processing equipment operates with the fabric in open width form, a slitting operation must be performed prior to the processing of the fabric and the present invention can be applied to great advantage. Heretofore, the slitting operation has been performed either at the knitting mill or at the processing plant just prior to processing. Where the slitting operation was performed at the knitting mill, the prior practice was to first inspect and grade the flattened tubular rolls of fabric produced on the knitting machines prior to slitting, the slitting operation being performed on a separate machine.

In all of these operations, the fabric is maintained in a folded condition for a considerable time period prior to the final production of the graded open width fabric resulting in the formation of creases which tend to permanently remain in the fabric. Moreover, the necessity of providing separate machines for effecting the inspection of the fabric in tubular form and for effecting the slitting and opening materially increased capital expenditures and operating costs.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a method and apparatus for producing'graded open width knitted fabric which minimizes the formation of creases and materially reduces the capital investment and operating costs heretofore required.

- This objective is obtained in accordance with the principles of the present invention by utilizing slitted rolls of knitted fabric produced directly on circular knitting machines in accordance with the teachings of commonly-assigned co-pending application Ser. No. 237,685 filed concurrently. herewith in the name of Billy M. Lee. By utilizing a fabric which is initially slitted along one fold line, the number of potential permanent creases is immediately reduced to one-half and by making the next procedure following formation on the machine that of opening the fabric the amount of time the fabric is maintained in folded condition is minimized and hence the tendency to form permanent creases in the fabric is minimized.

The above advantage in the quality of the fabric produced is obtained with an attendant saving in both capital investment and operating cost. First, from the standpoint of capital investment, an exemplary operation embodying the present invention would employ one inspection-fabric opening machines for approximately thirty-six knitting machines with each knitting machine being equipped with a slitting attachment, whereas a comparable conventional system would require one inspection machine and one slitting-fabric opening machine for servicing approximately the same number of knitting machines. While no attempt will be made herein to give comparableestimated costs which could be subject to quality comparative error, it is evident that a substantially greater cost is required for a single large and somewhat complex slitting-fabric opening machine than for even 36 simple slitting attachments, even assuming the inspection machines to be comparable in cost.

Second, as to operating costs, installation is simpler, floor space is reduced (no need for a separate large slitting-fabric opening machine) and labor is reduced by at least one and probably two workers (those previously employed to operate the eliminated slitting-fabric opening machine). Moreover, it should be noted that the quality of the inspection is increased in that inspection of the fabric in folded condition prevents accurate inspection at the folds, whereas with the present invention the fabric is inspected without folds while in an open condition. Inspection time is materially decreased in comparison with those conventional inspection machines requiring a double pass through the machine in order to inspect both sides of the folded fabric.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of producing graded open width tubular knitted fabric utilizing tubular fabric which is longitudinally slitted on the knitting machine embodying the steps of subsequently opening the roll of slitted folded fabric produced on the knitting machine, in specting the fabric while in an open condition and then rolling up the same.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an improved apparatus for opening and inspecting a slitted roll of knitted fabric produced on a knitting machine.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an apparatus of the type described which is simple in construction, easy to install, effective in operation and economical to manufacture and maintain.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent during the course of the following detailed description and appended claims.

The invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein an illustrative embodiment is shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an opening and inspection machine, embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the machine shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, with parts broken away for purposes of clearer illustration.

The present invention is particularly useful in conjunction with the slitting procedures and slitting mechanism attachment for conventional circular knitting machines described in the aforesaid Lee application, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present specification.

It will be understood that in the normal operation of a conventional circular knitting machine with a slitting mechanism attachment operatively associated therewith as disclosed in the Lee application, the slitted fabric is wound up into a roll in the usual fashion by the roll forming mechanism of the machine. In this way, the machine is normally operable to produce a length of knitted fabric folded lengthwise upon itself and wound up into a roll. The method of the present invention contemplates the further procedural steps of progressively unwinding a roll thus produced on the knitting machine while opening it into an unfolded condition and passing it over an inspection station where it is inspected and graded by an inspector and finally progressively winding the opened and inspected fabric into a roll with the fabric in opened condition.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown therein a fabric openinginspection machine, generally indicated at 100, which is preferably used in carrying out the method of the present invention. As best shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 comprises in general a frame structure, generally indicated'at 102, a folded fabric roll supporting mechanism, generally indicated at 104, positioned at the front of the frame structure 102, a fabric unfolding or opening structure, indicated at 106, carried by the frame structure 102 in a position above the roll supporting mechanism 104, an inspection station assembly, generally indicated at 108, carried by the frame structure 102 in a downwardly and rearwardly extending position with respect to the upper end of the opening structure 106, and an open width roll forming mechanism 100 carried by the frame structure 102 below the rearward end of the inspection station assembly 108. It will be understood that the apparatus 100 also includes suitable means for effecting the longitudinal movement of the roll of fabric through the apparatus as well as suitable means for supporting and guiding the fabric in such movement.

The frame structure 102 may be of any conventional construction, the drawings illustrating, somewhat schematically, a plurality of elongated structural elements rigidly interconnected, as by welding or the like, into a pair of skeletonized side frames rigidly interconnected by cross members.

In the embodiment shown, the roll supporting mechanism 104 is separate from the frame structure 102 being mounted on the same horizontal floor or support at the position previously indicated. The roll supporting mechanism 104, as shown, is adapted to receive a plurality of rolls and is adjustable to move successive ones of the rolls supported into operative position with respect to the unfolding structure 106. As shown, a pair of tracks 112 is fixedly mounted to the floor for rollingly receiving a set of wheel 114 carried by a roll supporting structure 116. The frame structure 116 is of any conventional construction and, as shown, is formed of a plurality of structural elements rigidly interconnected, as by welding or the like, to provide a generally U-shaped configuration. Fixedly mounted on the frame structure defining the upper ends of the legs of the U is a plurality of aligned pairs of V-shaped spindle end supports 118. As shown, the supports 118 serve to rotatably receive the ends of the spindles on which the rolls produced by the knitting machine are wound. It will be understood that the frame structure 116 is moveable along the tracks 112 so as to dispose each of the rolls engaged with each pair of supports 118 in operative relation with respect to the opening or unfolding structure 106 disposed thereabove.

The opening or unfolding structure 106 includes a central divider rod 120 suitably fixed, as by welding or the like, to the front central portion of the frame structure 102 and extending forwardly therefrom in a generally hoirzontal position. Fixed to the forward end of the divider rod 120 is the forward end of a pair of opening or spreader rods 122. The spreader rods extend from the forward end of the divider rod 120 in an upwardly and rearwardly diverging relationship and have their upper ends rigidly secured to the frame structure. The divider rod 120 and spreader rods 122 provide the interior fabric engagement for the opening function as the fabric is progressively moved thereover during the operation of the machine 100. The exterior fabric engagement for the opening function is provided by a lower U-shaped guide rod 124 which is rigidly secured to the frame structure 102 and extends therefrom in a position to engage the exterior of the folded fabric in a generally horizontally surrounding relation to the divider rod 120, and a pair of upper guide rods 126, p

which are rigidly secured to the frame structure 102 and extend therefrom in a position to engage the exterior outer end portions of the fabric in a relationship generally inwardly of the upper end portions of the spreader rods 122.

The inspection station assembly 108 is preferably in the form of a table structure including a table top 128 fixedly secured to the frame structure 102 in downwardly and rearwardly extending relation to the upper end of the unfolding structure 106. The upper and lower edges of the table are preferably provided with rollers 130 and 132 respectively to facilitate movement of the fabric over the ends of the table. Preferably, a fabric spreading roller assembly is provided between the unfolding structure and the upper roll 130 of the table, such assembly including a pair of rollers 134 each having a helical fabric spreading rib configuration formed on the exterior periphery thereof in accordance with conventional practice, the two rollers 134 being journaled at each end within a cross-bar 136 which in turn is rotatably adjustably secured to the frame structure 102.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, at a position adjacent the rearward end portion of the table 128, the latter is provided with a transversely elongated opening within which a panel 138 of translucent material such as plas tic or the like is mounted. The inspection station assembly 108 includes a first electric light assembly 140 carried by the table in a position beneath the underside of the panel 138. A second light assembly 142 is mounted on the frame structure 102 in a position spaced above the upper fabric engaging side of the panel 138. The lighting assemblies 140 and 142 cooperate with the, panel 138 to provide a highly efficient illuminated inspection station at which an inspector may clearly observe faults within the fabric during the passage thereof over the table 128 and translucent panel 138.

Preferably, the open width roll forming mechanism 110 includes a pair of drive rollers 144 and 146, each of which is provided with an exterior periphery of friction material. As best shown in FIG. 1, the drive rollers are mounted on the frame structure in closely spaced horizontal side-by-side relation for rotation about parallel axes. The drive rollers 144 and 146 are driven at the same speed and in the same direction by a suitable rotative power source, such as a variable speed electrical motor 148 and a belt and pulley assembly 150. It is also preferable to provide a fabric spreading roller assembly between the discharge roller 132 of the table structure 128 and the drive roller 144. Such an assembly is indicated at 152 in the drawings, the same having a construction and mounting similar to the assembly previously described embodying helical rollers 134.

To initiate the operation of the apparatus 100, it is first necessary to feed the leading portion of the roll produced on the knitting machineiupwardly in operative relation through the unfolding structure 106, over and under the pair of rollers 134, over the table roller 130, the table 128 and table roller 132, then under and over the pair of rollers 152 and under the drive rollers 144 and 146 from which the end portion is wound onto a spindle so as to rest on theupper periphery of the two drive rollers. Once the leading portion of the roll of fabric has been fed in the above relationship, the motor 148 is energized and the engagement of the fabric with the frictional surface of the drive rollers 144 and 146 functions to progressively wind up the leading portion of the fabric into a roll around the spindle resting on the upper periphery of the two drive rollers. Of course, as the fabric is wound up by the roll forming mechanism 110, the opening structure 106 serves to progressively open the fabric from its folded condition into an open planar condition. The inspection station assembly 108 provides an illuminated station at which an inspector can view the fabric as it progressively moves thereby to note any faults occurring therein. The inspection is performed with the fabric in an opened condition and the roll formed by the roll forming mechanism 110 is likewise with the fabric in an opened condition.

The speed of fabric movement through the apparatus 100 can be suitably adjusted to accommodate the par ticular inspector. An examplary speed is feet per minute. It can thus be seen that the apparatus 100 has the capacity to process a multiplicity of rolls from a multiplicity of knitting machines. At the exemplary speed noted above, the machine 100 is capable of servicing rolls produced on approximately 36 simultaneously operated knitting machines with slitting mechanism attachments thereon. Of course, the relative capacity will vary, depending upon the speed at which the knitting machines are operated. Due to this capability, the provision of a roll supporting mechanism capable of handling and supporting a plurality of rolls and of movement into a plurality of operative adjusted positions is of advantage. With this arrangement, the feeding of a new roll into operative relation with the apparatus 110 is best accomplished by stopping the operation just prior to the trailing end portion of the roll leaving the unfolding structure 102. The new roll is fed by releasably securing the leading end of the new roll to the trailing end of the roll which has just been processed. This securement can be effected by any conventional means, one example of which is relatively large safety pins. The operator then actuates the electric motor at a relatively slow speed until the leading end of the new roll has passed completely through the apparatus. The temporary fastenings are removed, the roll formedis removed from the machine and graded in accordance with the faults noted during inspection, and the leading end of the new roll wound about a new spindle and mounted in proper relation within the roll forming mechanism 110. The operator then actuates the motor 148 to commence the opening and inspection opera tion of the new roll. It can thus be seen that the apparatus 100 can be readily operated by a single inspector.

It can thus' be seen that there has been provided an apparatus and method which obtain the advantages of minimizing the time in which the fabric is maintained in folded condition, and of producing open width knitted fabric in a manner materially reducing the capital expenditures heretofore required and the operating costs heretofore required.

It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully and effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that the foregoing preferred specific embodiment has been shown and described for the pur pose of illustrating the functional and structural principles of this invention and is subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for inspecting double knit fabric in the form of an elongated strip folded lengthwise upon itself and wound up into a roll comprising means for supporting a roll of double knit fabric for rotation about an axis so as to enable the folded strip to be progressively unwound in an upward direction, a frame, cooperating interior and exterior guide structures fixed to said frame in a position above said roll supporting means, said interior structure including a rod engageable with the interior of the longitudinally folded edge of said fabric, said exterior structure including a. generally U-shaped rod engageable transversely across opposite exterior surfaces of the folded fabric at a position adjacent the position of engagement of said folded edge engaging rod and above said roll supporting means, said interior structure including a pair of angularly related rods extending from said fold engaging rod in divering relation therefromin directions both outwardly and upwardly to an extent and at angles of divergence such that when the fabric is moved upwardly thereover the same will be disposed in a generally planar condition, a pair of cooperating rollers journaled on said frame about parallel axes extending perpendicular to the axis of a roll supported on said roll supporting means, said pair of rollers having helical fabric spreading means on the periphery thereof for engaging the fabric as it passes from said pair of angularly related rods, a table structure fixed to said frame extending downwardly and forwardly from said pair of rollers for receiving and supporting the fabric for movement thereover, said table structure including a translucent panel extending thereacross, electric light means on opposite sides of said panel for illuminating said translucent panel and providing an inspection station for an operator as the fabric moves over said panel, a second pair of rollers journaled on said frame about axes parallel with the axes of said first pair of rollers in a position downwardly and rearwardly from the forward edge portion of said table structure, said second pair of rollers having helical fabric spreading means on the periphery thereof for engaging the fabric as it moves from said table structure, a pair of drive rollers having cylindrical peripheries formed of a friction material, means mounted said drive rollers on said frame for rotational movement about axes parallel with respect to each other and with respect to the axes of said rollers and with their peripheries disposed in closely spaced horizontal side-by-side relation in a position uch that when the fabric such unwound from a roll supported on said roll supporting means, and disposed in engagement with said cooperating interior and exterior guide structures, said first pair of rollers, said table structure, said second pair of rollers, with a leading portion thereof disposed in engagement with the peripheries of said drive rollers and wrapped around a spindle freely supported above and between the upper peripheral portions of said drive rollers, rotation of said drive rollers will effect longitudinal movement of the fabric while progressively unwinding the same from the roll supported on said roll supporting means and progressively winding up the same on the spindle disposed above and between said drive rollers, an electric motor, and means drivingly connecting said motor with said drive rollers for rotating said drive rollers about their axes at the same peripheral speed and in a corresponding direction to effect said fabric movement.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said roll supporting means includes a frame having means thereon for independently supporting a plurality of rolls for rotation about a plurality of horizontally spaced parallel axes, and wheel means supporting said frame for horizontal movement in a direction transversely to the rotational axes of said rolls into a plurality of operative positions with respect to said interior and exterior guide structures.

3. Apparatus for inspecting double knit fabric in the form of an elongated strip folded lengthwise upon itself and wound up into a roll comprising means for supporting a roll of double knit fabric for rotation about an axis so as to enable the folded strip to be progressively unwound in an upward direction, a frame, cooperating interior and exterior guide structures fixed to said frame in a position above said roll supporting means, said interior structure including a rod engageable with the interior of the longitudinally folded edge of said fabric, said exterior structure including a generally U- shaped rod engageable transversely across opposite exterior surfaces of the folded fabric at a position adjacent the position of engagement of said folded edge engaging rod and above said roll supporting means, said interior structure includinga pair of angularly related rods extending from said fold engaging rod in diverging relation therefrom in directions both outwardly and upwardly to an extent and at angles of divergence such that when the fabric is moved upwardly thereover the same will be disposed in a generally planar condition, first roller means journaled on said frame with the lon gitudinal extent thereof disposed perpendicular to the axis of a roll supported on said roll supporting means, said first roller means having helical fabric spreading means thereon for engaging the fabric as it passes from said pair of angularly related rods, a table structure fixed to said frame extending downwardly and forwardly from said first roller means for receiving and supporting the fabric for movement thereover, said table structure including a translucent panel extending thereacross, electric light means on opposite sides of said panel for illuminating said translucent panel and providing an inspection station for an operator as the fabric moves over said panel, second roller means journaled on said frame with the longitudinal extent thereof disposed parallel with said first roller means in a position downwardly and rearwardly from the forward edge portion of said table structure, said second roller means having helical fabric spreading means thereof for engaging the fabric as it moves from said table structure, a pair of drive rollers having cylindrical peripheries formed of a friction material, means mounting said drive rollers on said frame for rotational movement about axes parallel with respect to each other and with respect to the longitudinal extent of said first and second roller means and with their peripheries disposed in closely spaced horizontal side-by-side relation in a posi-- tion such that when the fabric is unwound from a roll supported on said roll supporting means, and disposed in engagement with said cooperating interior and exterior guide structures, said first roller means, said table structure, said second roller means, with a leading portion thereof disposed in engagement with the peripheries of said drive rollers and wrapped around a spindle freely supported above and between the upper peripheral portions of said drive rollers, rotation of said drive rollers will effect longitudinal movement of the fabric while progressively unwinding the same from the roll supported on said roll supporting means and progressively winding up the same on the spindle disposed above and between said drive rollers, an electric motor, and means drivingly connecting said motor with said drive rollers for rotating said drive rollers about their axes at the same peripheral speed and in a corresponding direction to effect said fabric movement.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said roll supporting means includes a frame having means thereon for independently supporting a plurality of rolls for rotation about a plurality of horizontally spaced parallel axes, and wheel means supporting said frame for horizontal movement in a direction transversely to the rotational axes of said rolls into a plurality of operative positions with respect to said interior and exterior guide structures. 

1. Apparatus for inspecting double knit fabric in the form of an elongated strip folded lengthwise upon itself and wound up into a roll comprising means for supporting a roll of double knit fabric for rotation about an axis so as to enable the folded strip to be progressively unwound in an upward direction, a frame, cooperating interior and exterior guide structures fixed to said frame in a position above said roll supporting means, said interior structure including a rod engageable with the interior of the longitudinally folded edge of said fabric, said exterior structure including a generally U-shaped rod engageable transversely across opposite exterior surfaces of the folded fabric at a position adjacent the position of engagement of said folded edge engaging rod and above said roll supporting means, said interior structure including a pair of angularly related rods extending from said fold engaging rod in diverging relation therefrom in directions both outwardly and upwardly to an extent and at angles of divergence such that when the fabric is moved upwardly thereover the same will be disposed in a generally planar condition, a pair of cooperating rollers journaled on said frame about parallel axes extending perpendicular to the axis of a roll supported on said roll supporting means, said pair of rollers having helical fabric spreading means on the periphery thereof for engaging the fabric as it passes from said pair of angularly related rods, a table structure fixed to said frame extending downwardly and forwardly from said pair of rollers for receiving and supporting the fabric for movement thereover, said table structure including a translucent panel extending thereacross, electric light means on opposite sides of said panel for illuminating said translucent panel and providing an inspection station for an operator as the fabric moves over said panel, a second pair of rollers journaled on said frame about axes parallel with the axes of said first pair of rollers in a position downwardly and rearwardly from the forward edge portion of said table structure, said second pair of rollers having helical fabric spreading means on the periphery thereof for engaging the fabric as it moves from said table structure, a pair of drive rollers having cylindrical peripheries formed of a friction material, means mounting said drive rollers on said frame for rotational movement about axes parallel with respect to each other and with respect to the axes of said rollers and with their peripheries disposed in closely spaced horizontal side-byside relation in a position such that when the fabric is unwound from a roll supported on said roll supporting means, and disposed in engagement with said cooperating interior and exterior guide structures, said first pair of rollers, said table structure, said second pair of rollers, with a leading portion thereof disposed in engagement with the peripheries of said drive rollers and wrapped around a spindle freely supported above and between the upper peripheral portions of said drive rollers, rotation of said drive rollers will effect longitudinal movement of the fabric while progressively unwinding the same from the roll supported on said roll supporting means and progressively winding up the same on the spindle disposed above and between said drive rollers, an electric motor, and means drivingly connecting said motor with said drive rollers for rotating said drive rollers about their axes at the same peripheral speed and in a corresponding direction to effect said fabric movement.
 2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said roll supporting means includes a frame having means thereon for independently supporting a plurality of rolls for rotation about a plurality of horizontally spaced parallel axes, and wheel means supporting said frame for horizontal movement in a direction transversely to the rotational axes of said rolls into a plurality of operative positions with respect to said interior and exterior guide structures.
 3. Apparatus for inspecting double knit fabric in the form of an elongated strip folded lengthwise upon itself and wound up into a roll comprising means for supporting a roll of double knit fabric for rotation about an axis so as to enable the folded strip to be progressively unwound in an upward direction, a frame, cooperating interior and exterior guide structures fixed to said frame in a position above said roll supporting means, said interior structure including a rod engageable with the interior of the longitudinally folded edge of said fabric, said exterior structure including a generally U-shaped rod engageable transversely across opposite exterior surfaces of the folded fabric at a position adjacent the position of engagement of said folded edge engaging rod and above said roll supporting means, said interior structure including a pair of angularly related rods extending from said fold engaging rod in diverging relation therefrom in directions both outwardly and upwardly to an extent and at angles of divergence such that when the fabric is moved upwardly thereover the same will be disposed in a generally planar condition, first roller means journaled on said frame with the longitudinal extent thereof disposed perpendicular to the axis of a roll supported on said roll supporting means, said first roller means having helical fabric spreading means thereon for engaging the fabric as it passes from said pair of angularly related rods, a table structure fixed to said frame extending downwardly and forwardly from said first roller means for receiving and supporting the fabric for movement thereover, said table structure including a translucent panel extending thereacross, electric light means on opposite sides of said panel for illuminating said translucent panel and providing an inspection station for an operator as the fabric moves over said panel, second roller means journaled on said frame with the longitudinal extent thereof disposed parallel with said first roller means in a position downwardly and rearwardly from the forward edge portion of said table structure, said second roller means having helical fabric spreading means thereof for engaging the fabric as it moves from said table structure, a pair of drive rollers having cylindrical peripheries formed of a friction material, means mounting said drive rollers on said frame for rotational movement about axes parallel with respect to each other and with respect to the longitudinal extent of said first and second roller means and with their peripheries disposed in closely spaced horizontal side-by-side relation in a position such that when the fabric is unwound from a roll supported on said roll supporting means, and disposed in engagement with said cooperating interior and exterior guide structures, said first roller means, said table structure, said second roller means, with a leading portion thereof disposed in engagement with the peripheries of said drive rollers and wrapped around a spindle freely supported above and between the upper peripheral portions of said drive rollers, rotation of said drive rollers will effect longitudinal movement of the fabric while progressively unwinding the same from the roll supported on said roll supporting means and progressively winding up the same on the spindle disposed above and between said drive rollers, an electric motor, and means drivingly connecting said motor with said drive rollers for rotating said drive rollers about their axes at the same peripheral speed and in a corresponding direction to effect said fabric movement.
 4. Apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein said roll supporting means includes a frame having means thereon for independently supporting a plurality of rolls for rotation about a plurality of horizontally spaced parallel axes, and wheel means supporting said frame for horizontal movement in a direction transversely to the rotational axes of said rolls into a plurality of operative positions with respect to said interior and exterior guide structures. 